When my husband and I got married in 2007, he had already been on staff at a church for a little over a month. When we came home from our honeymoon, I added the title “pastor’s wife” to my resume. I grew up in a pastor’s home, so I was a firsthand witness to my mom being a pastor’s wife. I really thought I knew the drill and wasn’t fully prepared for the life I was stepping into. I didn’t realize what was ahead. Over the years we have had some really sweet Pastor Appreciation Days filled with cards, gifts, and flowers. It has truly been such a great journey of ministry, and we are so blessed with great people to walk and serve alongside with. With that being said, I wanted to shed some light on a few ways you can support and appreciate your pastor.

Without question, the biggest gift you can give your pastor is prayer.

I am not talking about a once-a-year prayer thanking God for all they do. I am talking about a commitment to lift them up in prayer daily. Here are a few different ways you can pray for your pastor:

1.         Pray for Spiritual Protection

When your pastor said “yes” to God on the call placed on their life, that automatically attached a target from the enemy on their back. Satan is constantly looking for ways to attack. He doesn’t play fair. He throws curveballs at every corner trying to discourage and distract, and let me tell you, ministry can be very discouraging. The great news is that the God we serve is bigger than that and can bring joy in the midst of sorrow and hardship, he can show perspective when things look dark and He provides purpose in the pain.

Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

These darts thrown at your pastor are targeted and constant. They are on call 24/7, and they need spiritual protection. Make a commitment that you will say a prayer of covering over your pastor each day. If that seems hard, you can set alarms on your phone as a reminder. It doesn’t mean you are setting aside hours per day . . . just let the Lord know that you are praying for protection over your shepherd. Want to take it one step further? Send them a text when you are praying and let them know that you are covering them in prayer that day. It will mean way more than you know.

2.         Pray for His Family

Being a pastor affects the entire family. Like I said, I didn’t really know this until I was in this position. Send a card to each child in the house thanking them for the sacrifices they make for the church. Text your pastor’s wife and tell her that you are praying for her. You can take it one step further and ask her how you can be praying for her family and kids. The family often gets put up on a pedestal, but they are just normal people who struggle with things just like everyone else. They carry extra burdens and shoulder a lot, so letting them know you are lifting them up is so encouraging.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”

3.         Pray for Continued Vision and Wisdom

Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is one who keeps the Law.”

Proverbs 2:6, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 3:7, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”

Proverbs 4:6-7, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

There are countless scriptures about wisdom and how it comes only from the Lord. Our human minds have pride, and if that is not submitted to the wisdom of God, we will not use wisdom. Our churches need wisdom and vision. The Bible is clear that where there is no vision the people perish. Please commit to praying for your pastor over these things. Wisdom and vision matter. The future generations matter. The people in your community matter. Prayer most definitely matters.

At the end of the day, the Lord will give strength to your pastor as they daily submit to God to the call on their life, but it sure does help when the body comes alongside to do the work together and commit to praying over what we cannot see. We walk by faith and not sight, but it sure is easy when we can see everything clearly. We know that even in the days where we can’t see all that God is calling us to, we can be people of prayer over the man or woman that God has called to shepherd you and your family.

Prayer is most definitely a gift! Make sure you are a giver of this gift. They will be blessed, and you will too!

Written by: Taran Nelson. Taran is the Executive Director and co-founder of Fathom Family Foundation. She also serves in ministry at Fathom Church with her husband, Kyle, and their three children in Jacksonville, FL.